Page 18 of Shadowed Spirits

“That’s different,” he protests.

Raising an eyebrow at him, I ask, “How?”

“Because I wasn’t the one out of the loop, clearly.” Hades tries to keep a straight face, but he can’t help his grin. I smile back. He stands and makes his way over to me before pulling me into a quick hug. “But seriously, it’s good to have you back, little brother. Even if you’re not staying long.”

“It’s good to be back. I look forward to seeing everyone tonight at dinner, assuming that’s the type of gathering Seph is putting together.” I don’t think Izzy knew what she was signing up for when she agreed to Seph’s invitation. Hopefully, she doesn’t regret her kindness later.

Hades’s mouth tips up in a half smile. “You know my mate well. It’s a good thing your mate isn’t timid. Our family is a lot to handle, especially for a mortal.”

I shake my head. “She’s not mortal, not entirely.”

While I knew Izzy was more than a spirit mage, I never thought she wascura. It’s practically unheard of forcurato grow up outside of one of the guardian realms, likeInfernus. Since guardians are much more powerful than the inhabitants of the planets they guard, it can be dangerous to those they guard to have young, powerfulcuralearning their magic around them. It’s a testament to Izzy’s control that she never hurt anyone with her growing magic.

“I’m still not convinced. I know Seph is fairly certain, but I don’t see more than a passing resemblance between your mate and Melinoe.”

“It’s not just the resemblance. If Onyx says she’scura, then she is.” Onyx and I grew up together. He’s my oldest friend and someone I can trust without reservation. One of his unique magics is the ability to tell what species someone is through touch. Since he caught Izzy before she could fall into the Styx, he was able to tell what she is.

The River Styx is the lifeblood ofcurain this realm. Its waters unlock our powers when we come of age, bind the most important of our oaths, and nourish our lands. Without the Styx, and its connected rivers—the Lethe, Phlegethon, Cocytus, and Acheron—Infernuswould be just another barren wasteland of a realm, like the majority of planes out there. Acheron flows around the border of our capital city, hence the city being called Acheron.

Hades hums in disbelief but doesn’t push the issue further. Perching on the edge of his desk, he gestures for me to sit in one of the dark purple velvet wingback chairs in front of him. I lower myself and try to relax my stiff muscles. I’ve been perpetually tense since Izzy’s ghost told me she was being arrested. My blood ran cold when I was unsure if I’d reach Izzy in time. Luckily, Idid, but I never want to come that close to losing my little raven again.

Leaning back on his hands, my brother sighs. “What the fuck are we going to do if Mommy Dearest is loose on a rampage? On Earth, of all fucking places.”

Our mother, Lua, is, for lack of a better word, a terrible person. After she tried to kill me, Hades finally had enough and imprisoned her. It was only when I was older that I learned how many, many times she tried to kill him, but that didn’t enrage him like her attempt on my life did.

We’ve had a couple billion years of peace, but it seems like the fates have deemed our respite long enough.

I shake my head. “I don’t know. It took all of us working together last time to get her into Tartarus. If she’s really using a mage to get her more magic, I don’t know how any of us would be able to stop her.”

It was cute seeing Izzy’s wide eyes when we mentioned Tartarus. I had forgotten that Earth has lore aboutInfernus. While they got it being a prison right, Tartarus isn’t a deep abyss of eternal damnation. It’s just a regular high-security magical prison.

After living so long, I find that Izzy’s wonder and surprise over things that are mundane to me help me see things in a new light. I hope she never loses her awe at the world or her genuinely good heart. While she’s had way too much responsibility on her slight shoulders for too long, my mate still cares so deeply about others, it hurts her. I can’t help but admire that, even though I want to protect her from ever hurting.

Hades squeezes his eyes shut and takes a deep breath to try to calm down. By his bloodred eyes, I can tell it doesn’t work. “Fuck. Well, let’s hope to the fates that she hasn’t escaped. Are you sure you want to bring your tiny and fragile human mate with you to investigate?”

“She’s stronger than you think, but I’m positive that I don’t want to involve her in this.” I’d rather tuck my mate away where she’s safe, instead of letting her run headfirst into danger. “Like it or not, however, she’s already neck deep in the problem. Izzy would also murder me in my sleep if I tried to keep her out of it now that she knows.”

Hades barks out a laugh. “She’s a feisty one. I look forward to getting to know her better.”

“I told her you’d like her.” Izzy and my brother both love to stir up trouble. The things the two of them could get into together honestly scare me, so I’ll need to make sure they don’t spend much time alone. “Is there anything else you need my help with?”

“I have some reports on border towns and outposts I could use some help with, if you’re free.” He rummages around on his messy desktop for the documents he mentioned while he waits for my response.

Shrugging, I tell him, “I’m happy to help.” As his second in command, I should’ve been helping him with reports and other paperwork for the past year. I’ve been a little too preoccupied with Izzy to care about my responsibilities.

I spend the next three hours going through report after report for Hades. As usual, some of the other towns inInfernusare trying to stage rebellions. None of it seems concerning at this point, but Hades’s personal military can easily crush anything.

When I glance up at the clock, I notice that it’s already six-thirty. “Shit. I need to get ready for dinner.” I glance down at my red, long-sleeve T-shirt, black jeans, and scuffed boots. Seph wouldn’t be happy if I showed up to dinner dressed so casually. I told Izzy to pack a dress at the last minute, and I’m glad I did. Seph likes to have semi-formal dinners for big events, like her meeting my mate.

Standing up, I let Hades pull me into another hug before I stride out of his office. The people would be so scandalized to find out my scary older brother is a secret softy at heart.

It only takes me a minute to wind through the castle I’ve called home for longer than I can remember. When I unlock the door to my suite with my magic, I’m surprised to see that only the pup and the quiet wolf are in the living room. They’re talking and laughing with each other when I walk in, but my mate is nowhere to be found.

Archer grins at me. “Have a good meeting, demon eyes?”

I sigh in feigned annoyance at the nickname that I find funny at this point. If I show Archer that he amuses me, he’ll get infinitely more annoying, though. “It was fine. Where is Izzy? And you need to change into a button-down and suit pants, pup. Seph will be very unhappy if you show up dressed as you are.” She wouldn’t approve of his faded navy band tee and jeans.

The quiet one is good to go. He’s always wearing suits and button-downs. The only time I’ve seen him in anything casual is when we’ve shared a bed with our mate. While the wolf is quiet, it’s not because he’s timid. No, there’s a predator lurking just under the surface, noting vulnerabilities and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

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